Communications Engineering, MSc

The first year of the MSc contains compulsory 10-credit modules on subjects including signals and systems, optical networks, lasers and applications and digital communication.

Your second year is entirely dedicated to a dissertation project, worth 60 credits.

Usually entry requirements for the MSc Communications Engineering course is a first or second class honours degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering or a similar relevant engineering or science discipline.

We welcome applications by prospective students from around the world and look for evidence of previous study that is equivalent to the entry requirements stated above. The Postgraduate Admissions Office are happy to advise you on whether your qualifications are suitable for entry to the course you would like to study. Please email postgraduate.admissions@swansea.ac.uk for further information.

If English is not your first language you will need an acceptable pass in an approved English Language qualification to make sure you get the full benefit from studying at Swansea. We consider a wide range of qualifications, including the Swansea University English Test, the British Council IELTS test (with a score of at least 6.5 and 5.5 in each component). A full list of acceptable English Language tests can be found at:
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/english-language-requirements

The College of Engineering uses a variety of teaching methods including; taught/lecture-based, small group work, laboratory-based, project/assignment-based, use of Blackboard. Increasingly lectures are exploring the use of lecture recording, blended learning and flipped learning.  

Full details of the methods used within each module can be found within the module descriptors in the subject specific handbooks. 

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study through the medium of Welsh and our dedicated academy for Welsh-medium study, Academi Hywel Teifi, is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We offer you:

• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh - we will then communicate with you in your language of choice.
• The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and every effort will be made to mark your work in its original language.
• A Welsh-speaking personal tutor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.

To see further details about the level of provision delivered in Welsh on this particular degree scheme, please see the Welsh-language course page for further information.

Since 2011, there has been a 113% increase in the number of students studying through the medium of Welsh at Swansea University and our TEF* data over the last two years shows that Welsh-medium students are high achievers with regard to employability (*Swansea University TEF return 2017 and 2018).

MSc Communications Engineering at Swansea University is accredited by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), as further learning to Masters level for the purposes of partially meeting the educational requirement for Engineering Council registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). Study on this accredited degree will provide you with some of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills needed by Chartered Engineers. Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by many countries that are signatories to international accords.

The following academic staff will be teaching on your Electronic and Electrical Engineering degree:

• Dr Richard Cobley
• Dr Timothy Davies
• Dr Karen Ennser
• Dr Meghdad Fazeli
• Dr Paul Holland
• Dr Petar Igic
• Dr Chris Jobling
• Dr Jason Jones
• Dr Karol Kalna
• Professor Lijie Li
• Dr Pavel Loskot
• Dr Thierry Maffeis
• Dr Amit Mehta
• Dr Stefano Taccheo
• Professor Vincent Teng
• Dr Grazia Todeschini
• Dr Zhongfu Zhou

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

International students and part-time study: It is now possible for some students to study part-time under the Tier 4 visa route. This is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category. Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Please apply through the University’s central application system.

For further guidance please visit our how to apply for postgraduate study pages.

The part-time option for this course will not be able to be studied alongside full-time employment.

If you want to discuss the required hours and timetabling of this course, please contact us by emailing engineering@swansea.ac.uk or phoning 01792 295514.